Government enhances milk strategy with seven states

Dec 18, 2024
By Farms.com

Boosting disease surveillance in dairy sector

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has expanded its National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) to include seven additional states, boosting efforts to safeguard the national dairy supply from diseases like the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1.

These states—Indiana, Maryland, Montana, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and Washington—are pivotal in this strategic expansion, contributing significantly to U.S. dairy production.

Initiated on December 6, the NMTS is a crucial part of USDA's proactive measures to conduct comprehensive nationwide milk testing.

This approach facilitates the early detection of HPAI H5N1 and aids in the swift implementation of biosecurity measures to prevent its spread among livestock and reduce exposure risks to farmworkers.

USDA APHIS collaborates closely with state partners to tailor the testing strategies to meet local needs while aligning with national goals. This collaborative effort ensures the effectiveness of the biosecurity measures and supports rapid response capabilities.

To aid dairy producers in adopting robust biosecurity practices, USDA provides financial assistance and resources for biosecurity planning and personal protective equipment.

Detailed information about these support programs is available at Financial Assistance | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

By continuing to add states to the NMTS, APHIS aims to achieve comprehensive coverage across the 48 contiguous states, ensuring a resilient response framework to protect the health of the U.S. dairy herd and the broader agricultural community.

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